IMPHAL, Jun 10 : “The Government of India has not yet rejected the three Bills passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31 last year. The fate of the Bills depends on the efforts of the people of Manipur”, said JD-U Manipur president Moirangthem Tombi.
M Tombi was a delegate of the all party delegation which held a meeting with the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh recently and he gave a brief account of the meeting to media persons at this Babupara office this afternoon.
The all party delegation held a meeting with Rajnath Singh at 11 am of June 7 and Chief Minister O Ibobi who led the delegation gave a detailed account of the three Bills.
After listening to the Chief Minister and other members of the delegation, Rajnath maintained that there was no harm in protecting a community. He then suggested the delegation to enact a legislation through the Manipur Legislative Assembly which would be acceptable to all.
Rajnath Singh also offered to consult the matter with experts of the Ministry of Home Affairs and share the feedbacks with the Chief Minister of Manipur.
The meeting which lasted for almost one hour went on in a very smooth and cordial manner, Tombi said.
Pointing out that the issue is highly sensitive, he appealed to all the proponents of ILPS to maintain calm.
As for the JD-U, a memorandum was handed over to the Union Home Minister.
It urged the Government of India enact an Act for minority communities which are yet to enjoy any Constitutional safeguard even if the three Bills were withheld on account of controversies.
Confiding that the Chief Minister is expected to convene a joint meeting of political parties, civil society organisations of different communities and experts, Tombi expressed deep remorse over the death of nine persons at Churachandpur during a public uproar against the three Bills.
He asserted that the issue can be resolved only through dialogue.
He appealed to all concerned to refrain from committing any kind of violence against non-local people.
